Broader Becomes Walmart EMEA Prez/CEO

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has promoted Walmart Canada President and CEO Shelley Broader to the position of EVP, president and CEO of Walmart EMEA. In her new role, Broader will lead Walmart's retail operations and guide business development in Europe, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Canada, reporting directly to David Cheesewright, president and CEO, Walmart International.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer will reveal Broader's successor at a later date. She will continue to have responsibility for the Canadian market until her successor is in place.

Broader joined Walmart Canada as chief merchandising officer in December 2010 and rose to the role of Walmart Canada president and CEO in September 2011. She came to the company with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the North American retail industry, including key roles with Michaels craft stores and Delhaize America's Hannaford Bros. and Sweetbay Supermarket banners, serving as CEO of the latter grocery chain.

"Shelley has been a strong leader since joining Walmart Canada and is the ideal person to leverage the tremendous potential the EMEA region holds for our company," noted Cheesewright. "Shelley's leadership of our business in Canada during a time of increased competition underscores her knowledge of the retail environment, which will serve her well in her new role."

"Walmart has strong operations and excellent teams of associates in Canada, sub-Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom that are well positioned to drive future growth," added Broader.

Walmart employs more than 285,000 associates and operates 1,345-plus retail units in Canada, sub-Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom. The company operates 10,994 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries, employing more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart Canada has 390 stores nationwide and more than 95,000 associates.